Tuesday, March 22, 2011

My Interview with Rhonda at ShadowJewels




Rhonda with Coob

When did you start Shadowjewels? How long have you been creating your own jewelry?  Was there a particular event that sparked it?

ShadowJewels is entirely the fault of the internet. About 12 years ago, I got a new computer. Once I got online, unfortunately I discovered cybershopping. I started collecting Victorian jewelry, but that was frustrating for me because the pieces I really wanted were too expensive. Then one day I bought a necklace with a broken clasp~ a bargain! And decided to learn how to fix it. When I found you could buy vintage beads and jewelry parts online, that was the end of my normal life.
 Zowie!
'This will be much cheaper', I thought. Sure! Now I have a whole room full of the stuff. It has not been cheaper than buying the Victorian jewelry, but it sure has been more fun.
What drew you to Etsy?
Finding Etsy was like coming home for me. I love handmade, of course....and when I saw how vintage was taking off, that was wonderful!
The community here is just so creative, and positive, and eco conscious.
I'd absolutely love it if you could tell everyone about Coob. (Your avi buddy)
Oh Cooby. He's a character. When my husband moved here from France, he brought Coob with him. At first we really didn't click, because he couldn't understand me! Coob didn't speak English. "Come here boy!", "Cooby get out of there!", and "Coob, dinner!" were all met with the same puzzled, blank stare. He must have thought I was stupid ("look at thees seely woman, she does not speak a zee francais"). He learned fast though, and it didn't take long for him to become part of the family.
Now if somebody is speaking French to him, it's because he's in trouble. LOL!

You are the Queen of the Treasuries (in my humble opinion)...How do you find inspiration for your wonderful collections?
For me, making a treasury is a similar process to making my jewelry. Sometimes I'm inspired by a special item, a color, a season, mood, song, story, or poem....lately I find I am drawn more and more to Emily Dickinson, that quintessential peculiar woman. I'm right there with you Emily, getting stranger by the day!
What season of the year do you find most peaceful?
Love them all, except summer. I melt.
You create gorgeous vintage-inspired jewelry...do you ever go 'treasure hunting' for other vintage things?
Yes but I'm more of an online shopper!
What are the top three songs on your Playlist right now?
Sixties! Blind Faith~ Can't Find my way Home, Jefferson Airplane~ Somebody to Love, and Jimi Hendrix~ Machine Gun.
 Animal, vegetable, mineral.
Giraffe, artichoke, quartz. Ametrine, tourmaline, garnet, aquamarine, kyanite, labradorite.... wait a minute, what was the question?
If you could spend a day with a picnic lunch, your favorite book, and a beautiful place--what would be in the lunch basket, what book would you bring, and where would you go?
A simple lunch, some brie and fruit; the Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss ( just started it); in Sequoia National Park. I love exploring the high Sierra, and sequoia forests are my most favorite places of all. Nothing else comes close to that feeling of sheer joy, peace, and contentment. My husband and I go out camping every chance we get. You can see his beautiful nature photography on my flickr page

Any advice or encouragement for fellow artists or Etsyians?
Find what inspires you, hold on tight, and then follow your dreams. Remember to stay positive.
Instant Karma's gonna get you!

Thanks Rhonda!  For the positively wonderful interview!

23 comments:

  1. Rhonda is an excellent example of it all starts from within! She creates beauty because she holds beauty within and without!

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  2. I love her creativity and I love that she is a cat person! :)

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  3. Whimzy Thyme says: Great interview and fabulous jewelry.

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  4. Rhonda/Shadow Jewels always gives me a feeling of peace. Her beautiful creations also emit that feeling to me; one can tell each item is created with love. Rhonda ... I applaud you.
    Beteabon, thanks for posting this blog!
    Helen

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  5. Rhonda your jewelry is exquisite!! And your photographs are beautiful too! I can completely relate to getting stranger by the day with Emily, she is one of my favorites. So much fun getting to know such a talented Vestie!

    Another great interview Brandi!

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  6. Wow- her designs are divine! Really stunning. Thank you for letting me know about her- now I can follow her on Etsy.

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  7. Shadow's jewels are the best. She is a wonderful lady.

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  8. I love these colors.

    melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. love reading about shadow ( Rhonda) so fun to get to know everyone better!
    love the sequoias!
    thanks brandi!xo to you both!
    martha

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  10. I adore Shadow, we have become good Etsy friends. Just trying to get her to move closer to me, in the shadow of the Sierras, so she can visit the Sequoia daily!

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  11. yum, brie and fruit!! and artichokes! you have good food tastes in addition to style taste! ;0)

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  12. I really like the third necklace shown -- amazing. I can even picture the outfit it would look perfect with!!!

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  13. I love the jewelry that Rhonda makes. I'm happy to see that she loves nature as much as I do.

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  14. I just visited her Etsy shop, what lovely, unique pieces! I fell in love with "SIGH Bracelet with vintage glass and filigree". I hearted the item as well, might have to do a little shopping come pay day!

    Jess =]
    Jessence22@yahoo.com

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  15. Wonderful interview Beteabon. You really know what questions to ask in order for the reader to really get a deep sense of a person in only a few paragraphs. But now I want to visit a sequoia forest!

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  16. Fabulous interview!! and agree...love her shop...and love her treasuries!!!

    xo Lee

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  17. It was great getting a peak at a real Jewel, we love you Shadow!

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  18. Wonderful job ladies! The world need more beautiful people like you Shadow!

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  19. gorgeous, gorgeous work! I love Victorian inspired jewelry!

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  20. All of these pieces make me think of royalty; they are so princess-like.

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  21. The soft colors and the beauty are just wonderful. Thank you for sharing.

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  22. Elegant,beautiful Victorian look creations..And great interview...

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